Waiting for...?

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. (2 Peter 3:1-2 NIV)

This life looks different when we look at it through the lens of the next life.  When there's nothing to this life except this life, then we live to make this life the best we can for ourselves.  When we believe there is a next life, though, it begins to change our priorities here.  We have a different definition of "wholesome thinking."

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV)

Even back in the apostles' days, people were complaining that "nothing is new under the sun."  I've had many conversations over the last 20 years where people like to tell me nothing has really changed in people over the past 50 years.  They still act the same as they've always acted.  When someone says that, though, they are usually just trying to justify the way they are living: far away from God.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3:8-10 NIV)

When Jesus returns, all the things we are tempted to work for in this life will be burned up.  Our homes, modes of transportation, electronics, video game systems, vacation spots (and vacation equipment), clothing, accessories, bank accounts and the gold that backs up those accounts will all just be kindling.  The bigger the pile of stuff we own, the bigger the fire will be in our own back yard.  Just because it hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't happen.  Jesus isn't slow in returning.  He's waiting for some of us to come to our senses.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (2 Peter 3:11-14 NIV)

The only thing that will survive the fire will be us...and God.  We will continue on after the fire takes everything else away.  God will be there with us.  The rest of eternity we will get to spend with God.  It would probably be a good idea to make sure we are at peace with Him before we see Him face to face.

Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:15-18 NIV)

So how about you?  Are you at peace with God?  Have you repented of any rebellion in your life and come back home to The Father through The Son, receiving The Spirit?  Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?